Evolutionary and biodiversity research in our department is focusing on various levels of biological variation - from molecules to landscapes. In our department we are addressing questions on 1) systematics and phylogenetic relationships among plant species, 2) phylo-biogeography (the distribution of genetic variation in space and time), 3) the evolution of molecular marker systems (from single genes to whole genomes), 4) adaptation processes and character trait evolution, 5) genome evolution, 6) speciation processes, breeding system evolution and differentiation on the population level, 7) developmental-molecular processes underlying sexual and asexual reproduction (apomixis) [group of Anja Schmidt], and 8) structure, morphology and evolution of angiosperm flowers [group of Claudia Erbar].

For many of the projects we are focusing on cruciferous plants (mustard family, Brassicaceae). Our aim is to develop this group of more than 3990 species into one of the most important model systems on the family level and below - in basic but also in applied research. This family provides some great advantages and opportunities because of a broad spectrum of methods and techniques available, well-established theoretical concepts, but also because of the many resources such as databases, DNA libaries, complete genome sequences from various species, or large germ-plasm collections at various locations as hold also for example at our department. Here, our collections are focusing on "wild populations" to elaborate the significance of genetic variation and diversity for evolution and speciation.

A first overview on our various activities might be obtained by screening some publications of our group or detailed descriptions of some selected projects.

Actually our department consists of various Resarch Groups and working teams:

We are regularly offering open positions for the opportunity to obtain a Bachelor-, Master- or PhD-degree.

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A larger number of projects is focusing on various biodiversity aspects, especially CONSERVATION GENETICS of endangered European and Asian plant species and KNOWLEDGE DATABASES of biological resources and biodiversity. The "Biodiversity Research Center" has been awarded in 2010/2011 as "innovation star ".

The "Biodiversity and Plant Systematics" department is also closely associated with the Heidelberg Botanic Garden and Herbarium (HEID) with its director Prof. Dr. Marcus Koch. Numerous research projects are largely dependent on the greenhouse facilities, gardeners expertise and the herbarium (HEID) with its more than 350.000 collection objects.